The embarrassment persists. Although the organizers of Wimbledon did not allow Russian tennis players to start at the grass Grand Slam due to their country’s invasion of Ukraine, Jelena Rybakinová won the women’s singles. Russia, although he represents Kazakhstan.
She had the triumph of her life behind her, but the twenty-three-year-old Rybakinová once again faced unpleasant questions after her final victory over Ons Dzabúrová.
“From my side, I can only say that I represent Kazakhstan,” Rybakinová said at the press conference after her first Grand Slam triumph. “I didn’t choose where I was born,” added the native of Moscow.
On the other hand, fans on social networks were mostly clear that the measures of the organizers were somewhat ineffective. “It’s funny that you ban Russian players from the tournament and then Russia wins the title,” wrote one. “Paradoxical that a girl from Moscow will win Wimbledon without Russians,” added another.
The legendary tennis player John McEnroe then said it bluntly on the BBC broadcast. “I don’t want to get into politics, but it’s Russia. Even her parents live in Moscow,” said the three-time Wimbledon winner.
The president of the Russian Tennis Federation, Shamil Tarpishchev, did not completely help Rybakin. “Beautiful. Great job, Rybakin. We won Wimbledon,” he was quoted as saying by Russia’s Ria Novosti agency.
The twenty-third tennis player in the world has represented the Asian country for four years. “The people of Kazakhstan believed in me and supported me. Even today I heard their support and saw the flags. So I don’t know how to answer these questions,” she shrugged after the final victory. After all, questions about how she feels, what she says about the war in Ukraine and the ban on Russians at the All England Club she faced throughout the tournament.
Rybakin was pleased to see Bulat Utemuratov, the chairman of the Kazakh Tennis Association, in the audience. It is his money that is behind why Russian tennis players decided to represent the Asian country.
Although she became the first player in sixteen years to turn an unfavorable situation around in the Wimbledon final, she did not show much emotion after her triumph over the Tunisian 3:6, 6:2, 6:2.
“I’ve always been rather calm. Besides, I didn’t know what to do now. I was shocked. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions that I just tried to stay calm. Maybe one day you’ll see a big reaction from me, but unfortunately it wasn’t now.” said the youngest Wimbledon winner since Petra Kvitova’s triumph in 2011.
It was only when she was asked at the press conference how her parents would react to her triumph that tears welled up in her eyes. “You wanted to see the emotions, didn’t you? They will probably be proud,” added the fresh Wimbledon winner with a smile.
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